Early Solo 635 Chainsaw with White and Orange Casing

The Solo 635 is a heavy-duty chainsaw introduced in 1967 by Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH of Stuttgart, West Germany.

It was (and still is) a professional one-man saw designed for felling and bucking large timber. With its large 92 cc two-stroke engine and all-magnesium construction, the 635 was “built like a tank” for the logging industry.

Early production units, like the one pictured here, sported a distinctive white and orange color scheme – a white body with an orange top cover – which later gave way to a yellow body with black top on subsequent versions.

The pictured chainsaw is listed here on eBay by Alex (seller ‘szabsa76’).

Early Solo 635 Chainsaw

The listing description states:

Vintage Solo 635 chainsaw for sale, the rare color variant

I am offering for sale the Solo 635 (60135) chainsaw shown in the pictures.

It was manufactured in Germany in 1967. 92 cc, 5.5 hp. This white–orange color combination was later introduced on the 635 S and 642 models.

The saw is in good technical condition, starts easily, and runs up well. I have replaced the crankshaft seals and the carburetor gaskets. Due to its age, I recommend it primarily for collectors.

The model was part of Solo’s high-power saw lineup of the 1960s and was eventually phased out by the early to mid-1970s as newer models (such as the Solo 640 and 690) with improved performance and features superseded it.

The white/orange variant of the 635 specifically refers to those early production models from around 1967–1969, which are now relatively rare. Collectors often identify these by the code 60135 on the serial plate (the early factory designation) and the unique paint scheme. 

By the 1970s, Solo had also developed an even larger-bore version (approximately 106 cc) known as the Solo 642 – essentially a “Super 635” – but the original 635 remained the 92 cc workhorse of the late ’60s.

The color scheme was a defining trait of different production runs. Early Solo 635s were painted white with an orange top (engine cover), while later units were yellow with a black top.

Aside from color, these variants are essentially the same model, though early versions (often marked “60135” on the nameplate) tend to have the original Tillotson carb and sometimes a .404″ chain, whereas later ones might use 3/8″ pitch chain and minor updates.

In either form, the 635’s specifications remained geared toward heavy-duty use, with long bar capability (up to 25″) and a sturdy build for professional logging.

Specifications

The Solo 635’s performance was on par with other professional saws of the 1960s: it delivered ample power (5+ horsepower) and could run long bars for harvesting large timber. It matched the likes of STIHL and McCulloch in cutting ability and build strength. But as chainsaw technology rapidly advanced (anti-vibration in 1964, chain brakes around 1972, and weight reduction through aluminum/plastics), the 635’s design became dated.

Solo addressed some of this by developing the larger 642 model and other successors, but the classic 635 remained a brute-force machine of the old school. Today, its performance is appreciated more for nostalgia – the sound, the torque – rather than efficiency. One collector quipped that after giving a Solo 635 a workout, “Not a saw I would want to use everyday” in modern logging, given its weight and lack of vibration damping, but it’s certainly an impressive piece of engineering history.

White-and-orange variant vs other versions

Within the Solo 635 model range, the white/orange variant refers to the earliest version of the saw, and it carries a few distinctions from later iterations.

Color Scheme

The most obvious difference is the paint. Early production Solo 635s were painted white (main body and starter cover) with an orange top cover over the engine. Later units (late 1960s into 1970s) switched to Solo’s new color scheme of bright yellow for the body with a black top (some also had red/orange accents on the starter housing, depending on year). The white/orange models are visually quite distinctive and immediately mark an early build.

Manufacture Date and Coding

The white/orange saws were generally made in the first couple of years of 635 production (~1967–1969). These often have the model code “60135” on the serial plate, which corresponds to Solo’s internal designation for the 635 series. Later yellow/black ones might simply be marked 635. Collectors use the 60135 code and color to identify an early-run saw.

Top Cover Material

Anecdotally, some early 635s had a metal top engine cover, whereas later ones used a black plastic top cover. One owner noted his orange/white saw’s top cowl was metal, unlike a later version which had a plastic top cowl. This suggests a possible manufacturing change in the transition period – early units being all-metal construction, with later ones integrating more plastic in the shroud/cover.

Carburetor and Chain Pitch

Early variants (white/orange) typically came with Tillotson HL-series carburetors as listed in factory specs. Later in production, Solo may have used different carb models or revisions (though Tillotson remained common). Also, original early units were often set up for .404″ pitch chain (a heavy-duty chain common in the ’60s).

By the time the model was transitioning to yellow/black, many were running 3/8″ pitch chains as .404 was falling out of favor for mid-size saws. Converting between .404 and 3/8 was possible, so one may find either on surviving saws, but the chain pitch can be another subtle difference tied to the era.

“Super” Variant (Solo 642)

Technically, Solo did not release a different saw called “635 Super” in marketing, but they did create the Solo 642, which was essentially a 106 cc version of the 635 chassis. There is some confusion in forums where folks refer to an orange/white “Super 635.” In reality, the 642 was introduced in the early 1970s, often wearing Solo’s later colors. The 642 boasted around 106 cc and 8–9 hp, versus the 92 cc and ~5.5 hp of the 635. Aside from the larger bore (and possibly a bigger carburetor and intake tweaks), the 642/“Super” saws were very similar in design to the 635.

If one encountered a Solo marked 642, that’s the bigger engine variant. But if an old-timer refers to a “Solo 635 Super”, they likely mean the 106 cc version which technically carried the 642 model number. In short: white/orange usually denotes the early 92 cc model, while a true “Super 635” (642) would be slightly later and differently labeled. Both versions are rare today, but the 92 cc white/orange is more commonly encountered among collectors than the 106 cc variant.

Minor Running Changes

Over the course of production, Solo may have implemented small improvements – e.g. ignition updates or a slightly different muffler design – but such changes are not well documented. The core specifications (engine stroke, bore, carb, etc.) remained consistent for the 635. Any performance differences between a white/orange 635 and a yellow/black 635 would be negligible; they are the same model rating. The differences are primarily cosmetic and related to collectibility, not functionality.

In summary, the white-and-orange Solo 635 represents the earliest configuration of this model. It is prized for its classic look and for being the first of its kind. Later Solo 635s (yellow/black) and the related Solo 642 “Super” saw continued the lineage with the same fundamentals but different paint and incremental upgrades. Collectors seek out the white/orange version both for its relative rarity and for the historical value of owning an “original” 1960s iteration of the saw.

Rarity and collectibility

The white/orange Solo 635 has become a desirable collector’s item in the vintage chainsaw community. Because it was produced only in the late 1960s, relatively few of these units exist in good condition today. Surviving examples are often in the hands of collectors or old logging families. The variant is considered “rare” – an earlier listing by Alex explicitly advertised it as “a rare Solo 635 chainsaw for sale…meticulously renovated, in flawless working condition.” Enthusiasts value this model not only for its performance pedigree but also for its historical significance as Solo’s flagship saw of the 1960s.

In terms of production numbers, exact figures are not published, but given the short span of production under the white/orange scheme (likely 2–3 years), the numbers are limited. Solo transitioned to the yellow/black livery by around 1970, and then to newer models, so the total run of white/orange 635s is small compared to more mass-produced saws. One source even claimed the model was “only made for 1 year” – perhaps an exaggeration – but it underscores the perception of rarity.

The collectibility is reflected in market prices. Restored examples, especially the early variant, can fetch several hundred dollars. For instance, a beautifully restored early Solo 635 (white/orange) sold on eBay in 2025 for $690 USD. Considering that this is a 50+ year-old piece of equipment, that price is driven by collector interest rather than utility. Most sellers and restorers explicitly state that these saws are “not recommended for daily use, but rather for collectors.” Chainsaw enthusiasts appreciate them as display pieces or occasional runners at shows.

Rarity factors

Many of these saws were used hard in the logging days, so finding one intact with the original white/orange paint can be difficult. Some survived in Europe (Solo’s home market in Germany and surrounding countries) in barns or sheds. Others made their way overseas – for example, Solo saws were exported, and users have reported encountering 635s in places as far as Africa or New Zealand over the decades. However, they were never as ubiquitous as Stihl or Husqvarna, so today the 635 is uncommon in the wild. Collectors often network through forums and clubs to find parts or trade saws like this.

Collectibility highlights

Early Solo 635s appeal to collectors of vintage chainsaws, particularly those focusing on European brands or “muscle saws” of the 1960s. The white/orange variant, being the first edition, holds a special cachet.These saws frequently appear in vintage equipment shows or museum collections. Restoration efforts are common. Collectors will repaint in the original colors and rebuild the engine to running condition. A number of detailed restorations have been documented on forums and YouTube.

The value of a white/orange Solo 635 in good shape is fairly high for a chainsaw – often in the $400–800 range depending on condition. In contrast, the later yellow/black versions, while still interesting, don’t command quite the same premium (collectors prefer the first edition). The even larger Solo 642 is also very rare and collectible, but being less well-known, it surfaces even less frequently.

In the collector market, provenance and condition are key. An all-original white/orange 635 with matching serials, original bar, and intact decals would be a crown jewel. Even those that are fully restored (with reproduction paint and decals) are sought after. As time goes on, the pool of available units will likely dwindle, cementing the white-top Solo 635’s status as a prized vintage chainsaw.

This saw is available for sale at the time of writing. Be sure to check out Alex’s current listings here.